I have been quite disturbed by events in Egypt. We won’t know for some time what has been happening behind the scenes, but it appears that the Obama Administration told the Egyptian military that our support would not flag, which I, and certainly they, would have read as a green light to eliminate the Muslim Brotherhood.

Let’s talk about some basics – the sources of American economic power.

We were always an immigrant society, peopled with those who had the drive and courage to leave where they were, cross the ocean and begin again with nothing.

Initially we were agricultural. One innovation was small, “republican,” landownership by independent farmers. Their efficiency made everything else possible.

We were among the leaders in the banking revolution which simplified and facilitated commerce.

The transportation revolution began in England but it had an enormous impact on the American economy because of the sheer size of the country.

Our system of democratic schooling – education for all, rich and poor, boys and girls, immigrants and natives – was revolutionary and made us an international leader.

England pioneered the scientific revolution. But America took advantage of the land grant colleges, and with the appreciation for learning that came with both the Christian and Jewish communities that relocated here, America became a major source of invention.

Americans led the revolution in manufacturing – inventing and perfecting the assembly line.